1Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM OFCM Special Session: Challenges of Urban Test Beds Charge to the Joint Action Group for Joint Urban Test Beds Mr. Bob Dumont, OFCM In conjunction with the 10 th Annual GMU Conference on Transport and Dispersion Modeling August 2, 2006

2Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Acknowledgements Special Thanks to Dr. Zafer Boybeyi George Mason University

3Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Overview Background Terms of Reference Joint Urban Test Bed Concept Potential Urban Stakeholders Ultimate Benefits for Stakeholders The Way Ahead

4Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Background The OFCM has a long history in coordinating ATD modeling activities among the Federal agencies Two key reports developed by OFCM-sponsored joint action groups: –Atmospheric Modeling of Releases from Weapons of Mass Destruction: Response by Federal Agencies in Support of Homeland Security (August 2002) –Federal Research and Development Needs and Priorities for Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Modeling (August 2004) Joint urban test beds identified as an essential element in our strategy to meet future ATD R&D needs and priorities Next step: Formed the Joint Action Group for Joint Urban Test Beds

5Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Terms of Reference Responsibilities Define the test bed capabilities required to meet users’ needs for: –Measurements –Data assimilation and management –Modeling and model evaluations –Product generation and dissemination –Education, training, and outreach Develop criteria for joint urban test bed selection

6Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Terms of Reference Responsibilities Define joint urban test bed infrastructure requirements Examine existing infrastructure that could be used –observation networks –modeling and measurement test beds Develop an operational concept that includes an implementation framework Describe how test beds can be used for risk management Recommend next steps for Federal participating agencies

7Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Joint Urban Test Bed Concept GOAL To develop an operational concept for multifunctional joint urban test beds to provide services and data to model developers, test and evaluation personnel, and users.

8Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Joint Urban Test Bed Concept The joint urban test beds will support the following functional areas: –Homeland security (ATD) –Severe weather (including wildland fire) –Climate –Air quality –Water quality

9Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Joint Urban Test Bed Concept JUTBs will serve multiple uses and a wide range of stakeholders through improvements in: –Understanding the elements of urban ecosystems and how the elements interact –Understanding socioeconomic impacts of weather and climate in urban areas The JUTB infrastructure will provide the Federal agencies an opportunity to share and leverage resources to satisfy common development and testing needs (i.e., a cost effective way to develop applications and systems)

10Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Joint Urban Test Bed Concept User feedback will be included in the development spiral at the JUTB. The combination of typical users and real environmental conditions will result in improved transitions of products and services from research to operations for: –Urban scale forecasting of severe weather, weather extremes (heat and cold), hazard zones, and other impacts on stakeholders (in terms of safety, economics, and operations) –Urban scale climate predictions –Forecasts of water contamination due to deposition of airborne contaminants –“Tailored” products for the many urban users and stakeholders, i.e. products that are compatible with the user’s decision-making process

11Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Joint Urban Test Bed Concept JUTBs will contribute to improvements in National capabilities that will result in health and quality of life benefits to the general public: –Improved air quality and dispersion forecasts (including deposition on water) for airborne contaminants at urban scales –Understanding the impacts on health of weather and climate factors in urban areas –Protection of natural resources and ecosystems –Managing risks in the wildland/urban interface

12Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Potential Urban Stakeholders Water use commissions, water quality agencies, water treatment and sewage facilities Electrical power industry Fuel suppliers: natural gas, fuel oil, coal, gasoline Transportation sectors – aviation, marine, and surface Emergency management agencies and response organizations Public health agencies, health care providers, hospitals, and clinics Insurance industry Construction industry Recreation facilities Air quality agencies /boards/management districts Forestry agencies (wild land fire) Urban planners Weather service providers The General Public

13Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM Ultimate Benefits for Stakeholders Save lives, resources, and infrastructure Improve health of the population Help build a more robust economy Protect critical ecosystems Improve risk management and mitigation

14Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology OFCM The Way Ahead Complete a Joint Urban Test Bed Implementation Strategy and present it to the Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (FCMSSR) Initial focus: –Selection criteria based on user/stakeholder requirements –Potential benefits to users and stakeholders